Miniature UV detector and capillary spectrophotometers with CMOS array imaging: from prototypes to production

The project has two strands and follows on from interdisciplinary research by analytical scientists and electronic engineers initiated in the EPSRC Analytical Science Programme. Firstly, acting on advice from potential investors in the spin-off company arising from our patented work, to produce three betatest versions of each of two instruments (miniature UV detector, capillary spectrophotometer) for which alpha-test versions have been designed and built with support by the University of York through Proof of Principle funding. These will be placed with key R&D contacts in academia and industry, for evaluation and feedback to inform subsequent commercialization. The second strand is to produce an alpha-test version of a third instrument, a multiplexed capillary spectrophotometer, with robotic sample handling designed and built under sub-contract by a speciality robotics company. Market research has shown that this instrument has huge potential in the pharmaceutical industry.